FIFA president Gianni Infantino took the podium at the sport’s governing body’s recent congress to confirm that the idea of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams will be revisited once the present edition concludes.
The 2026 tournament, the first to feature 48 nations, has already been marked by a surge in participation, with every continent represented among the goal‑scorers and a record number of African teams advancing to the knockout round.
Infantino's Strategic Vision
Infantino also used the opportunity to defend recent innovations, such as the introduction of hydration breaks, which have drawn criticism despite being implemented in response to extreme temperatures, and the high price tags on match tickets, which he argues reflect the overwhelming demand from fans.
Financially, the organization projects revenue between $16.08 billion and $17.32 billion from the 39‑day competition, underscoring the tournament’s growing economic footprint.
A Bigger Stage, A Bigger Budget
The schedule of future hosts — Morocco, Portugal and Spain set to co‑host the 2030 finals, with Saudi Arabia slated for 2034 — provides a roadmap for how the competition might continue to evolve.
If the expansion materializes, the implications would extend beyond the pitch, affecting everything from broadcasting rights to the logistics of accommodating a larger field of teams across multiple continents.
Critics warn that a 64‑team format could dilute the prestige of the competition, while supporters argue it would offer more nations a realistic pathway to qualification and foster greater global engagement.
Whatever the outcome, the conversation around the World Cup’s future is already shaping the narrative of the sport’s next decade.